ESSENDON veteran Dustin Fletcher says playing at the highest level is still fun despite the game’s drastic evolution across his 21-year career.

Speaking on the eve of the Bombers’ season opener against North Melbourne — in which Fletcher will take sole ownership of the club’s games record when he plays his 379th premiership match — the defender said his milestone match would mean a lot not only to himself but those close to him.

Fletcher, who will turn 39 this season, has currently played 378 AFL matches — equal with former Essendon great Simon Madden.

He made his debut as a schoolboy back in 1993 and has proved one of the most durable players of the modern era.

And he said he still enjoyed life as an AFL footballer, even if things had changed from those early days.

“Yeah it is still fun, there’s no doubt about that,” Fletcher said.

“I think at times it challenges you mentally.

“It’s that professional now. You’re measured in everything you actually do — how far you run, how quick you run, how you’ve got to train.

“You feel like a bit of a robot at times when you’ve got to go through it but (having) 40 young blokes around you with a good story to tell and what they get up to on weekends, it’s a pretty fun sport.”

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